TREES dating back to the 18th century have been chopped down by developers.

Two oaks and a birch were cut down on Saturday night on Bangor Road in Penmaenmawr, to the horror of residents and business owners, including Michael Lewis King, who runs nearby Perry Higgins Antiques.

“Whoever did this has broken the law, they are environmental vandals,” he told the Weekly News.

“These trees were right in a valley and the wind comes down it now like a wind tunnel. It looks awful, really bare and now it’s devoid of beauty, it’s like a toothless face.

“Those trees were probably the oldest living things in this village.”

And Rory Francis, of the Woodland Trust, added: “You need a licence to bring down a tree covering an area of more than five square metres. It seems they did not have a licence.

“With mature trees like this, which are about 300 years old, it is possible there were bats in them and by law you can’t do anything to endanger any species at all.

“Most importantly they sent the contractors in to cut the trees on a Saturday when there was no-one from the council or any other authority there to step in.

“The council could have stopped it, but on a Saturday they didn’t have the chance. It shows just how inadequate the law to protect old trees is.”

After a series of complaints, environment chiefs called at the scene on Monday and said those responsible could face action. The trees were metres away from a conservation area and not listed under a Tree Preservation Order.

But other legislation could see the unidentified developers prosecuted. The Forestry Commission is investigating the incident.